The Italian presence in America has been the most
sustained, continuous and varied of any foreign-born group, with more
than five million Italians having emigrated to make new lives in the U.S.
since 1880 alone.

This heritage of Italians in the new world is increasingly
omitted from standard histories in favor of commercial stereotypes. Too
little is known about the experience and impact of Italians in all parts
of the nation, a study which is crucial for Americans of Italian descent
to understand their own identity, and for all Americans as an integral
part of the history of the United States.

ORIGINS:

In December 1966, a group of historians, educators,
sociologists and other interested persons met at the LaGuardia Memorial
House in New York City and founded the Italian American Studies Association (formerly theAmerican Italian Historical Association).
The Association is incorporated as a non-profit organization and is tax
exempt under state and federal law.

In 1974, a group of historians in San Francisco
formed the first regional chapter of the IASA. The new Western Regional
Chapter devoted itself to the study of the Italian experience in the western
states, including California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado,
Idaho, Montana, Alaska, New Mexico, and Hawaii. The Western Regional Chapter
has been operating ever since, twice hosting the IASA National Conference
in San Francisco and once in Las Vegas.

OBJECTIVES:

The IASA/WRC seeks to create a true understanding
of the Italian American experience in the West. Its members encourage
Italian American Studies programs at universities; collect, preserve,
study and popularize materials that illuminate the Italian American experience
in the West; and hold regular programs to present those studies to the
public.